Death Certificate Reveals Betty White Suffered A Stroke Prior To Her Death

Legendary Hollywood actress Betty White died on New Year’s Eve, just weeks before she would have turned 100. Her newly-released death certificate tells of an incident that took place less than one week before she died that contributed to her death.

According to the certificate obtained by PEOPLE, White died “due to a cerebrovascular incident,” also known as a stroke. The certificate reports that the actress suffered a stroke six days prior to her death.

According to the death certificate, the Golden Girls star suffered a stroke six days before her death.

A source told PEOPLE “It was a mild stroke.”

Betty White‘s long-time friend and agent Jeff Witjas issued a statement following her death confirming that she “died peacefully in her sleep at her home.”

“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” Witjas said. “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don’t think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.”

In the days following her death, rumors swirled that the actress died due to complications from receiving a COVID-19 booster shot. But, Witjas denied the allegations, saying: “People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier but that is not true,” Witjas said. “She died of natural causes. Her death should not be politicized — that is not the life she lived.”

On January 17, Betty’s birthday, a movie honoring her 100th birthday will debut. “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration” will feature numerous Hollywood stars including Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli, James Corden, Wendy Malick and Jennifer Love Hewitt.